Canadian rig count up 90, U.S. down 13 in weekly survey

Ray Tyson

The number of rotary drilling rigs operating in North America during the week ending Oct. 8 increased a net 77 from the previous week to 1,635, and also was up 108 compared to the same period last year, according to rig monitor Baker Hughes.

Canada’s rig count jumped by 90 from the prior week to 405, but still was down 13 vs. the year-ago period.

The number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week stood at 1,230, down by 13 compared to the previous week but up by 121 vs. the same period last year. Compared to the prior week, land rigs alone fell by 11 to 1,116, while offshore rigs slipped by two to 96. Inland water rigs remained unchanged to 18.

Of the total number of rigs operating in the United States during the recent week, 1,060 were drilling for natural gas and 169 for oil, while one rig was being used for miscellaneous purposes. Of the total, 770 were drilling vertical wells, 337 directional wells and 123 horizontal wells. Among the leading producing states, Texas lost 14 rigs for a total of 512 rigs. Wyoming’s rig count rose by three to 84, while Louisiana’s increased by three to 169. Oklahoma’s rig count increased by one to 163, while California’s increased by one to 25. Alaska was unchanged with 12 rigs, as well as New Mexico with 72 rigs.